The State Government of Sabah, Malaysia will be enhancing the ICT security capabilities of all government ministries and agencies as part of a new policy directive which aims to curb incidences of cyber-attacks.

According to Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin, all Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and ICT Security Officers (ICTSO) of government ministries, departments and agencies should adhere to the new policy so as to improve organisational resilience against virus attacks and hacking activities.

“Prevention is better than cure,” he said adding that it is important to build up ICT security capabilities to prevent loss of data, hacking and other malicious attempt to disrupt normal course of business operations.

Yahya also reiterated the call of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman for the establishment of “cyber troopers” at all ministries to respond to queries and comments in the government’s social media platforms.

“While social media is indeed an effective citizen engagement tool, oftentimes it is used by people to disseminate misleading information that vilifies government agencies. The cyber troopers, will be tasked to make sure citizens get the right information from the right sources and respond to queries in behalf of government agencies.”